6th Grade Information and Updates
6th Grade Academic Updates
Please reach out to your student's teacher with specific questions regarding content or your student's progress.
Science
In our Earth Science class, we recently completed our Solar System unit, where we explored the scale of the solar system and how vast the distances are between planets and the Sun. We also studied moon phases and how the Moon’s position relative to Earth and the Sun changes what we see from our perspective. A major focus was Earth’s 23.5° axial tilt and how it drives the seasons by changing the angle and intensity of sunlight throughout the year. Now we are sharpening our math and measurement skills by reviewing key concepts such as mass, volume, measurement tools, and density. These foundational skills will prepare us for our next major unit on weather and climate, where we will apply measurement and data analysis to better understand atmospheric processes and Earth’s systems.
Math
Advanced Math
In Advanced Math, students just began their unit on proportional and non-proportional relationships. Following this unit, they will finish the year off with units on percentages and positive and negative numbers.
6th Grade Math
Students finished their unit on area and surface area at the beginning of March, then began their unit on decimal arithmetic. Students will finish the year by exploring expressions and equations, as well as positive and negative number practice.
Language Arts
Chamberlin: In the 4th quarter Ms. Chamberlin's 6th grade LA class we will wrap up Unit 2: Power to Change by writing a literary analysis essay based on the conflicts that change the protagonist in the novel Walk Two Moons. In Unit 3: Changing Perspectives, we will study argumentative texts, engage in debate, and create visual displays/ graphics to support claims. Some of our learning goals include practicing nonfiction reading strategies, supporting claims with reasoning and evidence, engaging in effective and collaborative discussions, and creating visual displays to support claims.
Anderson: The students will write a personal narrative and then begin reading the novel "Walk Two Moons". They will study the text with character analysis, how setting affects the plot, and the theme. We will pair non-fiction and poetry with the novel.
McElduff: In Language Arts, students have dialed in their warm-up routine by independently choosing a focused skill to practice each day. Many students are so engaged that they’re disappointed when time is up — a great sign of growing ownership over their learning. Students are encouraged to continue building these skills at home by working in a quiet space for about 20 minutes each night; headphones can help with focus. We recently finished reading Walk Two Moons, and the class agreed it was a powerful and memorable novel. We are now comparing its themes with the Pixar film Up and beginning a literary analysis essay that examines how each protagonist changes in response to internal and external conflicts. Throughout our work, we continue to emphasize citing evidence, understanding figurative language, and analyzing themes so students can learn from characters’ choices and apply those lessons to their own lives.
Practice at Home 
We don’t officially assign homework, but a little extra practice can go a long way! If your student isn’t quite earning a “3” in Language Arts, spending just 20 minutes a night can make a huge difference.
All students have free access to some awesome tools:
Learning Ally for great audiobooks
Quill for grammar and conventions practice
Freckle Focus Skills for reading and literary standards
Need more ideas or resources? Reach out anytime—I’m happy to help!
Social Studies
During our 4th Quarter Social Studies class, we will be looking at the different economic systems people use around the world and how they operate. We will be finishing the year by looking at the Columbian Exchange and the state of the world in 1491 when Columbus arrived in the New World.